Maldives

Military: Bomb found in Maldives capital

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MALE -- A remote-controlled bomb was discovered near the presidential palace in the politically charged Maldivian capital on Monday, but the improvised explosive device was safely defused, the military said.Panic gripped the tiny capital as police cordoned off narrow streets and troops stepped up their presence amid heightened tensions following a blast aboard the president's speed boat in...

Thailand

Rights group urges Thai lawmakers to drop plan for military detention of civilians

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANGKOK -- Thailand's legislators should scrap a proposal for the military to detain civilians for up to three months with no judicial oversight, rights group Human Rights Watch said on Friday.The measure, to be considered by the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly by the end of February, strengthens the military's wide-ranging powers, and allows army commanders to detain civilians...